RS adjourned sine die after turbulent session

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha was today adjourned sine die, bringing an abrupt end to the Budget session, after the day saw repeated adjournments forced by the opposition over reports that the government was bringing in an Ordinance to amend the rules governing disqualification of members for holding offices of profit.

The house was adjourned five times since the morning -- twice in the pre-lunch session and thrice afterwards on the same issue.

When the house reassembled at 1700 hours after the fifth adjournment, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat allowed Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh to speak. The move enraged members of the treasury benches, who rose to their feet in protest.

At this time, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri went over to the Chairman to say something, which was objected to by Mr Singh, who walked out in protest. BJP's SS Ahluwalia also went over to Mr Shekhawat to complain.

The sitaution further worsened as Opposition members started shouting slogans.

Mr Shekhawat then told members that despite earlier intimation that the second part of session would start from May 10, the government had requested him to adjourn the session sine die.

The Chairman accordingly adjourned the house sine die, even as the Opposition members kept on shouting slogans.

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